Winder-Barrow High School junior pitcher Blake Marbut got the call on opening day of 2012 for the Diamond Doggs. Marbut, as well as teammate Blake Oviedo, pitched well, coach Brian Smith said. Photo by Jessica Brown

In most ways, it was a typical season opener for the Winder-Barrow High School baseball team Tuesday.

The Diamond Doggs saw some positive things, some things they need to work on and perhaps some glimpses of what the 2012 campaign will be like. In the end, WBHS dropped a 2-1 decision to visiting Stephens County High School leaving Bulldogg coach Brian Smith with at least some level of disappointment.

“Our pitching was definitely a bright spot,” Smith said after the game. “(Blake) Marbut was probably not even at his best despite throwing well. He went out there and got out of some tough situations. We still have to take advantage of opportunities when we have them. This one got away from us. I would like to see us play with more intensity. I always want our team to play like the region championship is on the line. When you do that, you will usually be O.K.when it comes to your effort level.”

Stephens County pushed a run across in the top of the first and top of the second and made those runs hold up. WBHS scored its run in the bottom of the fourth. Grayson Ivey and Dalton Carter both singled to give the Diamond Doggs runners on first and third with no outs.

Following a strikeout, Drew Davis reached on a fielder’s choice allowing Ivey to score. The inning ended when Davis was thrown out attempting to steal second.

WBHS threatened in the bottom of the fifth putting runners on first and third with two outs. Pat Overstreet had a leadoff double. After a flyout to left and a strikeout, the Diamond Doggs’ Ryan Brown had an infield hit to put two runners on base. Both would be left stranded, however.

Both teams went in order in the sixth innning. In the top of the seventh, Blake Oviedo worked out of trouble after Stephens County’s lead off batter reached third with no outs. Oviedo, working in relief of Marbut, then recorded a strikeout and forced an infield grounder on which the runner at third had to hold. After a walk, Oviedo would get out of the inning leaving two runners stranded.

In the bottom of the seventh, WBHS had a leadoff walk by Davis. Overstreet then reached on an error when a pop up to short centerfield was mishandled. Drew Dunagan would line out to shortstop allowing Stephens County to record a double play. In the end, the Indians prevented the tying run from scoring and left with a 2-1 win.

Marbut worked five innings Tuesday recording five strikeouts while allowing five hits. Oviedo pitched the final two innings with a strikeout and a walk.

The Diamond Doggs were without standout Travis Demeritte, who was out with a knee injury. Demeritte did not even dress for Tuesday’s season opener. Smith said he hopes to have Demeritte back for Saturday’s games in Augusta.

“We need his bat, his defense, his leadership and his work on the pitcher’s mound,” Smith said. “We always schedule good teams early to see what we need to work on before region. It is only going to get tougher.”

WBHS will play in Augusta Saturday against South Effingham at 1 p.m. and Evans High School at 3 p.m. The Bulldoggs will return home for a contest against Buford Feb. 29 at 5:30 p.m.

Smith told his team after Tuesday’s season opener it would be vital to continue to improve and work out any necessary details before the Region 8-AAAA schedule begins.

“We have eight more games before the region schedule starts,” Smith said. “We have to get better in several areas before we enter those battles. We had some good things tonight but we also have to go back to work with a focused approach in order to get better. It’s simply too tough day in and day out in our region.”

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